seattle spousal maintenance modification

Spousal Support Modification

If spousal support was ordered as part of the Divorce Decree or Judgment, either party may have the right to seek a support modification of the terms so long as the award was not deemed non-modifiable originally.

What Is A Modification?

Spousal support is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses regardless of gender. The existence, amount, and duration of monthly spousal support payments will be defined either by the court or a settlement agreement.

Who Can Qualify For A Support Modification?

Because of how important the support payments are, modification most often requires the filing parent to show a significant change in circumstances.

For the paying parent, this commonly takes the form of a drop in income, frequently due to the loss of a job.

The receiving ex-spouse can seek an adjustment if the payer’s income has risen substantially.

Conversely, the payer may be able to seek to reduce or terminate spousal support if the ex-spouse has remarried or achieved financial independence.

Related Reading: An In-Depth Look At How Spousal Support Works In Washington State

Contact Us Today

Have questions about divorce, child custody, support payments or family law? We have answers. Phone questions answered by our managing attorney for free!